"A Question Was Asked"

Matthew 16: 21-28   Have you ever wondered? 

After a question from one of my perishers, Terry Benevides about a particular verse from Sundays reading of the gospel of Matthew 16: 21-28, I felt the need to write this.  His question came from verse 28, it reads:  New King James Version (NKJV)

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”  Why did Jesus say that and what did He mean when He said some would not die before they would see Him coming in His kingdom?  His question inspired me to write this reply.  

I would have usually delt with this question next week but the lectionary moves on to chapter 18 for next Sunday so I want to deal with it now.  The answer Terry was looking for comes from the next chapter.   Remember I have often said from the pulpit that you need to read at least some before and after to get the meaning of a passage when studying scripture or looking for explanations.  The next Chapter 17 is the story of the transfiguration. Shortly after, 6 days the scripture said, Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to a mountain top.  There Jesus is transformed just for a moment to another place and time, what is significant here and you should take note of is: both the living and the dead are present.  Peter, James, and John, are the living and Moses and Elijah from the Hebrew or Old Testament are the dead.  No one know for sure if this was to represent heaven or a dimension in between life and death.  All we know for sure is that what He said {according to Matthew} in verse 28 of Chapter 16 is now fulfilled.  In this place all the living and the dead are able to see Him and each other in His glory and in His kingdom, or as some say bibles translations say, as King.    Here is Chapter 17 for you to read.  This is my perspective, hope this may be helpful.    Blessings

Matthew 17:1-13New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

17 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us[a]make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first[b]and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.